Show of Force: China Masses 100 Ships as Trump Backs Taiwan & Japan’s Takaichi
- China amasses 100 ships in western Pacific - Trump signs Taiwan Assurance Implementation Act - Tokyo denies report on missile talks with Manila - New stand-off near Senkaku (Diaoyutai) Islands In recent days, China has recently amassed more than 100 military ships across the region, stretching from the Yellow Sea in the north, down through the contested South China Sea, and out into the Pacific. The show of military force comes amid ongoing tensions between China and Japan, following Beijing’s overreaction to Japanese PM Takaichi Sanae’s comments on Taiwan. China’s latest provocations also include a new maritime stand-off near the Japan-controlled Senkaku (Diaoyutai) Islands, as well as propaganda promoting Okinawan independence. Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump has signed the 2025 Taiwan Assurance Implementation Act to allow for closer ties with Taiwan. Will Tokyo and Washington continue to stand firm against Beijing’s belligerence? And despite Japan’s official denials, could the Philippines potentially receive Japanese-made defensive missiles? In this episode, we discuss China’s latest aggressions, the Japanese and US responses, and whether Beijing’s actions are backfiring. *Recorded on December 5, 2025 at 11am Taiwan Standard Time Host/Senior Producer: Yin Khvat Producer: Chinyeh Chiang Our guests: Grant Newsham - US Marine Corps Colonel (Ret.) Titus Chen - National Chengchi University Institute of International Relations Research Professor and Deputy Director Michale Turton - Taipei Times Columnist
